NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

Field Guide to the Searobins

(Prionotus and Bellator)

in the Western North Atlantic

Mike Russell

Mark Grace

ElmerJ. Gutherz

U.S. Department of Commerce

March 1992
NOAA Technical Report NMFS

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Recently Published NOAA Technical Reports NMFS

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edited by Harold L. PrattJr., Samuel H. Gruber, and Toru

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91. Marine flora and faWlll ofthe northeastern United StatesEchinodermata: Crinoidea, by Charles G. Messing and

John H. Dearborn. August 1990, 30 p.

92. Genetics in aquaculture: proceedings of the sixteenth

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96. Marine flora and faWJa of the Eastern United StatesCopepoda, Cyclopoida: Archinotodelphyidae,

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100. Marine flora and faWJa of the Eastern United States:

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101. Larvae of nearshore f'lShes in oceanic waters near Oahu,

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102. Marine ranching: proceedings of the seventeenth U.S.-

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103. Benthic macrofaWJa of the New York Bight, 1979-89, by

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December 1991, 57 p.
NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

Field Guide to the Searobins

(Prionotus and Bellator)

in the Western North Atlantic

Mike Russell

Mark Grace

ElmerJ. Gutherz

Illustrations !Jy Mark Grace

March 1992

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Robert Mosbacher, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

John A. Knauss, Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere

National Marine Fisheries Service

William W. FoxJr., Assistant Administrator for Fisheries
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not approve,

recommend or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary

material mentioned in this publication. No reference shall be made

to NMFS, or to this publication furnished by NMFS, in any advertising or sales promotion which would indicate or imply that NMFS

approves, recommends or endorses any proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned herein, or which has as its purpose

an intent to cause directly or indirectly the advertised product to

be used or purchased because of this NMFS publication.

11
Field Guide to the Searobins (Prionotus and Bellator)

in the Western North Atlantic

MIKE RUSSELL, MARK GRACE, and ELMER]. GUTHERZ

National Marine Fisheries Service

Southeastern Fisheries Center

Pascagoula Laboratories

P.O. Drawer 1207

Pascaj;oula, Mississippi 39568-1207

ABSTRACT

Species identifications of Prionotus and Bellator are often difficult under field conditions owing to the large number of species and their overlapping taxonomic

characteristics. This key is intended to provide a simplified, accurate means to identify

adult searobins greater than 10 cm standard length. All recognized species from the

western North Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea are included.

Introduction __. _

Within the family Triglidae in the western North Atla:1Lic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea are 15

species of Prionotus and rour of Bellator. A dichotomus

key with illustrations of each species are provided for

identification of adult specimens of these genera.

We have used names recognized by Miller and

Richards (1991, a and b), Ginsburg (1950), Teague

(1951); and the American Fisheries Society Committee's (1991) Special Publication No. 20-List of

Common and Scientific Names (1991). Miller and

Richards (1991a) was our primary source of scientific

nomenclature; Ginsburg and Teague supplied taxonomic clarification. Common names, when available,

were taken from the List of Common and Scientific

Names with the exception of the bluewing searobin

(P punctatus) which was taken from the FAa species

identification sheets for fishery purposes, western

central Atlantic, fishing area 31, Volume V. Geographic and depth distribution information for

Prionotus longispinosus, P martis, P ophryas, P paralatus,

P roseus, P rubio, P scitulus, P stearnsi, P tribulus, and

Bellator militaris was taken from National Marine Fisheries Service collection data stored at the Pascagoula,

Mississippi Laboratory. Distributional information for

all other species was taken from published sources.

The "NOTE" section under each species illustration

is not intended to be part of the diagnostic key; but

rather to provide additional information on taxonomy, as well as depth and geographical distribution of the species. A glossary of terms is provided

at the end of the text.

Methods _

Measurements were taken in accordance with Lagler

et. al. (1962). Morphological features are defined in

Figures 1 through 4. Breast, chest, and throat areas

are defined as follows: the breast comprises that area

between the inner-most (posterior) and outer-most

(anterior) pelvic fin rays; the chest comprises that

area between the outer-most (anterior) pelvic fin ray

and the outer-most (anterior) free pectoral ray; and

the throat comprises that area forward of the chest

extending to the branchiostegal membrane. The

term "weakly," referring to scalation, indicates that

only a few scales extend past the boundary between

breast, chest, and throat areas (the location of the

free pectoral rays are morphologically distorted to

provide a better view of the boundaries between

throat, chest and breast). The symphysis of the premaxillary (Fig. 2) was used when taking head or body

length measurements. Owing to differences in

growth rates between adults and juveniles (animals

under 10 cm standard length), this key is restricted

to adult animals.
2 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

.....- Standard Length-- ----.

Head Length

Soft Dorsal

I

~Anal Fin

Joined Pectoral Rays

Dorsal Fins

Free Pectoral Rays

Branchiostegal Membranes " Pelvic Fin

Symphysis of the Premaxillae

Figure 1 (above)

Figure 2 (below)

Morphological characteristics

of Prionotus and Bellator.

... Freeieloral Rays
Russell et at.: Field Guide to Searobins 3

Key to Prionotus and Bellator

I Dorsal spines 10 (rarely 9 or 11), posterior spines short and may be difficult to find; soft dorsal with 12 or 13

rays; first and second dorsal spines never long and filamentous; opercular membrane partially scaled above

opercular spine (Figure 3) Prionotus

II Dorsal spines usually 11 (rarely 10 or 12); soft dorsal with 11 rays; first one or two dorsal spines often long and

filamentous on males (with the exception of B. brachychir); opercular membrane unsealed; individuals relatively small (generally less than 17 em SL) Bellator

It Opercular Membrane

Supraocular Cirrus,-.

'rt~ /Cleithral Spine

-, -::::::::::::-

Nasal Cirrus~~J\~~\_

4:£~~operCUlarSpine

Supplemental Preopercularsp~ Preopercular Spine

Gill Rakers

Figure 3

Morphological characteristics of Prionotus and Bellator.
4 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

Emarginate

Elongate

Rounded

Figure 4

Morphological characteristics of Prionotus and Bellator.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 5

Key to Species of Prionotus Lacepede 1802

la Pectoral fins very short (less than head length, and not extending beyond origin of anal fin), color black;

body with distinct silvery coloration; lower jaw produced with a small ventral bony knob at symphysis of

the lower jaw; preopercular spine short, reaching only to distal end of operculum or immediately anterior

to it (Fig. 5) P. stearnsi

Ib Pectoral fins moderate to long (equal to or greater than head length and extending beyond origin of anal

fin), coloration variable; body coloration not silvery; lower jaw not extending beyond upper jaw;

preopercular spine not short, reaching past operculum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

Figure 5

Prionotus stearnsi Jordan and Swain I884-shortwing searobin.

NOTE: This species is unique to the Prionotus with its short pectoral fin and uniform

silvery or dusky color; darker coloration on dorsal and anal fins may fade with

preservation. Distribution: North Carolina to French Guiana; in depths between 6 and 300 fathoms, most commonly found between 20 and 60 fathoms.
6 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

2a Pectoral fins long (reaching to distal end ·:)f anal fin base or beyond; P. evolans pectoral fin length is highly

variable, however, it can be readily identified by its distinct dark lateral line and dark band below the lateral

line) 3

2b Pectoral fins intermediate in length (reaching from between anal fin origin and center of anal fin base) .. 8

3a Head large (head length greater than one third of standard length) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

3b Head small (head length less than one third of standard length) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5

4a Lower, non-free pectoral fin rays elongated, reaching past posterior margin of anal fin; lateral line not

darkened; no dark stripe belo\\- lateral line; chest, breast, and throat naked; (scales extend onto breast in S%

of specimens examined); nasal spines present, but may be small and difficult to discern (detection is best

made by running finger downward toward snout on snout region) (Fig. 6) P. alatus

Figure 6

Prionotus alatus Goode and Bean 1883-spiny searobin.

NOTE: Body coloration yellowish to rust. Distribution: Virginia to Florida, including

Greater Bahamas Bank, and west to the Mississippi River Delta, and Campeche

Bank, in depths between 30 and 250 fathoms, most commonly found between

30 and 70 fathoms.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 7

4b Pectoral fin rounded, with lower non-free rays not greatly longer than upper non-free rays; lateral line

darkened; dark stripe below lateral line extending to caudal peduncle; chest, breast and throat staled; nasal

spines absent (Fig. 7) P. evolans

Figure 7

Prionotus evo/ans (Linnaeus 1766)-striped searobin.

NOTE: Pectoral fin brown, usually with very narrow transverse wavy brown lines close

together, length varying from 8th anal fin ray to behind anal fin base; body with

three brown crossbars extending ventrally and forward to lateral line. Distribution: Nova Scotia to the east coast of Florida, possibly Little Bahamas Bank;

between 5 and 80 fathoms, most commonly found between 10 and 35 fathoms.

5a Nasal and supraocular cirri present '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6

5b Nasal and supraocular cirri absent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7
8 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

6a Pectoral fin rounded, upper two rays not extending to caudal base as thread-like filaments; pectoral fin extending

to end of anal fin base or beyond; first dorsal spine longer than second or third (Fig. 8) P. ophryas

Figure 8

Prionotus ophryasJordan and Swain 1884-bandtail searobin.

NOTE: Caudal fin with distinct black banding (usually 3 bands); black banding also on

free pectoral rays, pelvic fins, and underside of lips; dorsal and anal fins with

brown blotches or spots; cirri dark; rusty-orange pigmentation scattered about

head, pectoral and anal fins on live specimens; caudal peduncle with dark

saddle; P grisescens Teague, may be a junior synonym of P ophryas. Distribution:

U.S. east coast south of Cape Hatteras, throughout the Gulf of Mexico south to

Campeche Bay and Venezuela; between 4 and 60 fathoms, most commonly

found between 10 and 35 fathoms.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 9

6b Two upper most rays of pectoral produced, extending to caudal base as thread-like filaments, remaining rays of

medium length (55% ofstandard length); first dorsal spine slightly longer than second (Fig. 9) .... P. murieli

Figure 9

Prionolus murieli Mowbray in Borodin 1928.

NOTE: Description, measurements, and distribution are from Teague: color in alcohol

was bleached white above and below; median fins plain and translucent; caudal

and free pectoral fin rays plain, with pectoral fins mottled. Distribution: known

only from the holotype which was collected in 8 fathoms on Cay Sal Bank,

Bahamas.
10 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

7a Pectoral fins with bright blue and/or dark ocellated spots throughout (spots on pectorals not ocellated on

some variants), ventral edge dark or brown without blue margin, first 3-4 rays branded; caudal fin with

dusky banding; pectoral fin rounded (Fig. 10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. P. roseus

Figure 10

Prionotus roseusJordan and Evermann 1886--bluespotted searobin.

NOTE: P. roseus is frequently confused with P. rubio, however, they may be easily separated by spreading the pectoral fins and noting the bright blue spots present on

P. roseus. Branchiostegal membranes white or salmon-colored; dorsal fin spot not

ocellated; anal fin generally unpigmented, but some specimens may have a

black pepper-dot pigmentation pattern at the distal end. Distribution: North

Carolina to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean; between 5 and 100

fathoms, most commonly found between 15 and 50 fathoms.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins II

7b Pectoral fins uniformly dark except for distinct blue margin on ventral edge; pectoral fin obliquely truncate

(Fig. II) P. rubio

Figure II

Prionotus TubioJordan 1886--blackwing searobin.

NOTE: Three dorsal spots (which may appear as bars) are present along the base of the

dorsal fin; two sets are along the spiny dorsal, and one along the soft dorsal;

anal fin unpigmented; pelvic fins with black pepper-dot pigmentation; blue margin on ventral edge of pectoral fin, fades on preserved specimens. Distribution:

North Carolina to Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico to Texas; from inshore bays to 116

fathoms, most commonly found between 5 and 30 fathoms.
12 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

8a Mouth large, maxillary terminating at or immediately in front of anterior- most portion of the bony ocular

ridge (Fig. 12a) 9

8b Mouth small, maxillary terminating well in advance of anterior-most portion of the bony ocular ridge

(Fig. 12b) 11

A

large Mouth

B

Small Mouth

Figure 12

Relative mouth sizes are compared: (A) large, maxillary terminating at or immediately in front of anterior-most portion of the bony ocular ridge; (B) small,

maxillary terminating well in advance of anterior-most portion of the bony

ocular ridge.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 13

9a Body and pectoral fins with varying numbers of brown spots (Fig. 13) P. punctatus

Figure 13

Prionotus punctatus (Bloch I 797)-bluewing searobin.

!VOTE: Dorsal fin spot present in young, disappearing or diminishing with growth; often

with a spot at center of base of caudal fin and at its upper and lower margins

behind basal spot, forming corners of a triangle; pectoral fins of moderate length,

reaching to between fifth and seventh rays of anal fin (variants may overlap with P.

longispinosus) , fin grayish brown to dark green with darker, diffuse oval spots; body

with rounded brown spots or blotches. Distribution: Cuba to Campeche Bay

south to Argentina (does not occur in northern Gulf of Mexico); between 4 and

')3 fathoms, most commonly found at about 16 fathoms.

9b Body and pectoral fins without brown spots 10
14 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

lOa Pectoral fins with wide dark vertical bands with green coloration towards distal end of lower pectoral

rays; free rays banded; head relatively large (three head lengths reach to posterior half of caudal fin)

(Fig. 14) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. P. tribulus

Figure 14

Prionolus lribulus Cuvier 1829-bighead searobin.

NOTE: P. lribulus is a robust species; its head is relatively large with more spines than

other Prionolus species; spinous dorsal fin with a single spot; body with two dark

"slashes"-one at midbody, and one just posterior-also a blotch located on

caudal peduncle; gill rakers on lower limb (including angle) of first arch

11-16 1; eye length range from 15 to 21 % of head length, with an average of

17% in six specimens. Distribution: ew York to Florida through the Gulf of

Mexico to the Bay of Campeche; between inshore and 100 fathoms, most commonly found between 5 and 15 fathoms.

I A 24% overlap beween P. lribulus and P. ClJolans lower limb gill raker counts was reported by Ginsburg (1950). This occurred primarily in

smaller specimens (41-129 mm SL).
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 15

lOb Pectoral fins with transverse rows of small, light-colored, non-ocellated spots, a light blue ventral margin,

and a diffuse black spot posterior to origin of pectoral fin; head relatively small (three lengths reach to

anterior half of caudal fin); free pectoral rays not banded (Fig. 15) P. longispinosus

Figure 15

Prionotus longispinosus Teague 1951-bigeye searobin.

NOTE: Anal fin with a median dark band along its entire length with a lighter margin

(colors faded in preserved specimens); spinous dorsal fin with a single spot; eye

length range from 22 to 28% of head length, with an average of 25% in six

specimens. Distribution: northern Gulf of Mexico (does not occur in Caribbean); between inshore bays and 120 fathoms, most commonly found between 5

and 50 fathoms.
16 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

lIa Pectoral fins emarginate (Fig. 4) 12

lIb Pectoral fins round (Fig. 4) 13

12a Preopercular spine short, 8% of standard length, reaching just past operculum, does not reach or extend

to the distal end of the cleithral spine; pectoral fin with two broad dark areas separated and surrounded by

lighter areas (Fig. 16) P. beani

Figure 16

Prionotus beani Goode 1896.

NOTE: Prionotus beani and P. paralatus are very similar, and may best be separated geographically; P. beani and P. paralatus pre- opercular spine measurements overlap

in 10% of specimens examined. Distribution: Honduras to Brazil; between 25

and 150 fathoms, most commonly found between 30 and 70 fathoms.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 17

12b Preopercular spine long, 12% of standard length, extending well beyond the operculum, and does not

reach or extend to distal end of the c1eithral spine; pectoral fin with dark spots and some pink coloration

scattered throughout (Fig. 17) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. P. paralatus

Figure 17

Prionotus paralatus Ginsburg 1950-Mexican searobin.

NOTE: P. paralatus may be distinguished from P. alatus in lacking nasal spines and

elongated lower, non-free pectoral fin rays. Prionotus paralatus and P. beani are

very similar, and may best be separated geographically; P. beani and

P. paralatus preopercular spine measurements overlap in 10% of specimens examined. Distribution: Mississippi River delta to Campeche; between 5 and 150

fathoms, most commonly found between 20 and 80 fathoms. Intermediate hybrids may occur off Florida and Alabama.
18 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

13a Spinous dorsal fin with one non-ocellated spot; branchiostegal membranes black or dusky (color may fade

in preserved specimens) (Fig. 18) P. carolinus

Figure 18

Prionotus carolinus (Linnaeus 1771 )-northern searobin.

NOTE: Spinous dorsal fin with white horizontal band under dark spot; pectoral fin

spotting between dorsal-most (2-6) rays; caudal fin with light bands dorsally,

remainder of fin dark; anal fin with dark band and a white margin; body with

brown blotches or spots dorsally; P. carolinus may be confused with P. scitulus and

P. martis, but can be easily separated from them by the dark bars on its upper

caudal fin as compared with distinct round spots on P. martis and P. scitulus.

Distribution: Nova Scotia to eastern Florida; between 5 and 93 fathoms, most

commonly found between 10 and 30 fathoms.

13b Spinous dorsal fin with two non-ocellated blotches, one between the first and second spines, the other

between the fourth and fifth spines; branchiostegal membranes light, never dark or dusky 14
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 19

14a Throat naked; joined pectoral rays 12 to 14, modally 13; gill rakers on lower limb including angle usually

11, varying 10-13 (Fig. 19) P. scitulus

Figure 19

Prionotus scitulusJordan and Gilbert 1882-leopard searobin.

NOTE: P. scitulus, P. martis, and P. carolinus are very similar and care must be taken to

observe diagnostic characteristics to prevent misidentification of these species;

geographic range separates P. mar/is and P. carolinus, however the distribution of

P. scitulus overlaps the range of both P. mar/is and P. carolinus. Distribution:

North Carolina to Venezuela through the Gulf of Mexico to the Bay of

Campeche; between 3 and 50 fathoms, most commonly found between

5 and 25 fathoms.
20 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

14b Throat entirely scaled; joined pectoral rays 14 to 15, modally 14; gill rakers on lower limb including angle

usually 9, varying 8-11 (Fig. 20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. P. martis

Figure 20

P110notus martis Ginsburg 1950-barred searobin.

NOTE: See additional co:nment on P. scitulus 14a. Distribution: west coast of Florida to

offshore of Mobile Bay, Alabama (possibly west to Texas); between 6 and 25

fathoms, most commonly found between 10 and 20 fathoms.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 21

Key to Adult Species of BellatorJordan and Evermann 1896

la Cleithral spine long, extending well beyond tip of opercular spine (Fig. 21); chest scaled; thin horn-like

projections extending well beyond snout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

Ib Cleithral spine short, not extending beyond tip of opercular spine (Fig. 21); chest naked; horn-like projections barely extend beyond snout, almost blunt ;....... 3

Short

Cleithral Spine

Figure 21

Comparison between long and short cleithral spine.
22 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

2a Supplemental spine on pre-opercular present; longest pectoral fin rays reaching distal end of anal fin base

in specimens over 10 cm; dorsal-most pectoral fin rays prominently marked with black and white bands;

without dark ventral marginal band on pectoral; coloration in life rosy with horizontal yellow lines extending to the caudal fin (Fig. 22) B. militaris

Figure 22

BellatoT militaTis (Goode and Bean 1896)-horned searobin.

NOTE: First two dorsal fin rays elongate in males; one dark spot is usually present at the

base of the last soft dorsal ray. Distribution: North Carolina through the Gulf of

Mexico, south to the Colombia; between 11 and 118 fathoms, most commonly

found between 15 and 40 fathoms.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 23

2b Supplemental spine on pre-opercular spine absent or rudimentary; longest pectoral fin rays not reaching

beyond third anal fin ray; dorsal-most pectoral fin rays lack black and white banding; dark band on ventral

edge of pectoral fin (Fig. 23) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. B. ribeiroi

Figure 23

Bella/or ribeiroi Miller 1965-Caribbean searobin.

NOTE: Only the first dorsal fin ray elongate in males. Distribution: Honduras to Brazil;

between 22 and 43 fathoms.
24 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

3a First free ray of pectoral fin shorter than pectoral length; eyeball with tabs or tentacles on dorso-posterior

portion; nasal spines present; mouth small, maxillary not extending to anterior margin of eye; pectorals with

alternating patches of light and dark pigment, appearing as brown patches on dorsal 1-2 pectoral rays

(often seen as bands) (Fig. 24) B. egretta

Figure 24

Bellator egretta (Goode and Bean 1896)-streamer searobin.

NOTE: Caudal fin with yellow spots dorsally and a reddish stripe ventrally; nasai cirra

absent (present on B. brachychir but very difficult to see because of small size).

Distribution: North Carolina to Florida Keys (possibly to Bahamas Bank) south

to Barbados and Belize; between 22 and 125 fathoms, most commonly found

between 35 and 100 fathoms.
Russell et al.: Field Guide to Searobins 25

3b First free ray of pectoral fin considerably longer than pectoral length; eyeball without tabs or tentacles; nasal

spines absent; mouth large, maxillary extending beyond anterior margin of eye; pectorals dusky or with an

elongate black spot dorsally, posterior margin white (Fig. 25) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. B. brachychir

Figure 25

Bellator brachychir (Regan 1914)-shortfin searobin.

NOTE: Nasal cirra present but difficult to see. Distribution: North Carolina to west

coast of Florida and south to Campeche Bank and Uruguay; between 15 and 200

fathoms, most commonly found between 75 and 150 fathoms.
26 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 107

Glossary _

Blotch. A mark without a well-defined border.

Edges of mark ragged and fading into background.

Branchiostegal Membrane. Membrane between

branchiostegal rays on ventral side of gill opening,

may extend posteriorly along edge of opercular as

fleshly membrane (Fig. 1).

Candal Peduncle. The narrow part of the body immediately preceding the candal fin.

Cirri. Fleshy "tentades." In some species of Prionnlus,

located at nostrils orjust above eyes (Fig. 3).

Distal. Away from the origin or point of attach··

ment.

Emarginate. Inner fin rays shorter than outer rays,

giving the margin a notched appearance (Fig. 4).

Maxillary. The exposed bone forming the posterior

part of the upper jaw; the maxillary does not bear

teeth (Fig. 3).

Ocellated. Spot in which the central color is bordered by a ring of another color, generally white.

Premaxilla. The innermost bone of the upper jaw,

bearing teeth.

Rudimentary. Imperfectly or incompletely devdoped.

Spot. A mark with a well-defined border.

Supraocular. Just above eyes.

Symphysis. The point at which the two halves of a

jaw come together.

Acknowledgments _

We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to

George Burgess, Florida State Museum of Natural

History, University of Florida for loan of museum

specimens and for reviewing the manuscript; George

C. Miller, NMFS retired, and Dr. William J. Richards,

NMFS, Miami for technical advice and for reviewing

the manuscript; Dr. Stephen T. Ross and Florida Department of Natural Resources for permission to use

their line drawings as outlines for our figures. Drs.

Stuart G. Poss, William D. Anderson, Jr., H. Dickson

Hoese for reviewing the manuscript; Lee Likens,

Carol L. Roden, and Miriam Hahn for their efforts in

developing the text; Bennie Rohr for reviewing the

manuscript; and Velda Harris who patiently typed

many reorganizations of the text. We appreciate

the help of those people aboard the NOAA Ship

Oregon II for taking the time to collect specimens.

We also wish to dedicate this manuscript in

memory of ElmerJ. Gutherz (July 3,1931 toJune 10,

1991) .

Citations . _

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Ginsburg, I.

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Jordan, D. S.. and B. W. Evermann.

1896. A check-list of the fishes and fish-like vertebrates of

North and Middle America. Rep. of the Comm. for

1895. U.S. Comm. of Fish and Fisheries 21(App. 5):

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Lagler, K. E,j. E. Bardach, and R.R. Miller.

1962. Ichthyology. j. Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 545 p.

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